Soon after arriving at the practice ground, I slowly began warming up.
Truthfully, ever since becoming a Master, there was no real need to warm up.
Since my body was always prepared for battle in any situation.
Which basically means I’m nothing short of a combat weapon.
And yet, why do I still warm up?
It’s because I want to delay the inevitable clash, even if just by a little.
Being a Master doesn’t mean I don’t know hardship or can’t feel pain.
“Are you ready?”
“Haa, somewhat.”
Of course, the captain of the royal knights surely knows I’m stalling.
But he lets me anyway.
“Once our return is decided, we’ll be busy with preparations, so this will likely be our last training session.”
“So? Wow. Really. It’s a shame.”
“I knew you’d say that. Even after returning to the empire, feel free to visit. If I have time, I’ll gladly spar with you.”
“Haha, how could I steal your precious time? Just knowing this is more than enough.”
Like I’d go all the way to the palace to duel with you.
When I subtly declined, he simply smiled silently.
“Hmm.”
A smile that seemed to say it would happen whether I wanted it or not.
Truly terrifying.
“Since this is the last one, let’s fight like it’s a real battle.”
“A real battle? Is that okay?”
Meaning I can use all my aura and divine powers…
“But we won’t use divine powers. Wouldn’t want you getting injured on your way back.”
Ah, that’s true.
Though, using divine powers would make it no longer just a sparring match anyway.
“I understand.”
Anyway, shall we begin?
Slowly raising my aura, Opheucus resonated in response to my will, transforming into its sword form.
– Whooom!
Originally, I was most accustomed to spears, but lately swords have started feeling natural in my hands.
Could it be from constantly clashing with sword-wielding opponents?
“This is a sword first?”
“Yes, I’ve been saving this for today.”
“Your intentions are clear, but…”
Smiling faintly, as his sword came toward my head, he suddenly changed tactics.
“Turns out I already know this technique.”
“Guh…!”
I quickly retreated, losing my stance due to an unexpected attack.
“That’s a technique from the previous captain of the royal knights. How could I not know it?”
“Had no idea…!”
Who would’ve thought Carlos’ technique was from the former royal knight captain?
I heard it was from a long-lost nation; turns out he learned it from someone truly remarkable.
Clang! Clank!
Having lost momentum, all I could do was barely block his successive attacks.
“Why? Planning to end it here?”
“No way!”
[Selene Swordplay: Crescent Moon Dance]
Regaining my breath, I swiftly swung Opheucus.
The chaotic blade energy made the knight captain step back, smiling.
“That’s the Selene family’s technique. The duke will be furious when he finds out.”
“We’ll deal with that later…!”
This time, I closed the distance.
[Lion Sword: Maul]
A fearsome sword technique where I slash upward and downward like a lion tearing into prey.
It’s incredibly taxing on the muscles.
If this wasn’t training with the knight captain, I’d probably need divine powers to pull it off.
“The Lion Archer’s techniques are always bold. Each move aims for a fatal strike.”
His chosen counter was evasion.
Leaping back, he sheathed his sword.
“…?”
Was he planning to finish here? As I hesitated for a moment, he took his stance.
[Guardian Sword: Draw Cut]
“It’s like lightning!”
In a flash, his sword was already flying toward my neck. Barely raising Opheucus in time, I failed to fully block it due to delayed reaction, and the price was painful.
“Guh…”
“Carelessness costs. The flaw of Lion Sword is creating openings when it misses. You should’ve paid more attention to that.”
“You tell me awfully fast…”
The cut hurt, but the bigger issue was the shoulder injury. There might even be a crack in the bone.
And the knight captain’s ‘eyes’ didn’t miss my dangling arm.
“If we continue, you might lose the use of your arm. Shall we stop here?”
“Hold on. It’s not over yet.”
Saying it boldly, I wondered what to do next.
Without divine powers, I had no way to heal the wound.
Healing magic was too difficult for me to master.
‘Just had to injure my right arm…’
Even with both hands usable, this opponent was tough to hit.
Now that my dominant right arm is injured, there’s practically no chance of victory.
Honestly, quitting wouldn’t matter, but somehow ending it like this feels unsatisfying.
At that moment, I felt something stir in my chest.
Initially thinking it was residual effects from the curse, it turned out to be different.
Before I could figure it out, a quiet voice whispered in my ear.
“Well then, looks like I have no choice but to force an end.”
The knight captain observing me readied his stance again.
It was the same lightning-fast sword technique as before.
[Guardian Sword: Draw Cut]
Fortunately, I managed to narrowly evade this time.
Though insanely fast, its linear movement allowed prediction and avoidance.
Seizing the opportunity for a counterattack—
Ugh…
—but the shoulder pain caused me to miss the timing.
Seeing this, the knight captain shook his head and repositioned.
“That’s why I told you to quit while you’re ahead.”
“Can’t quit over a mere injury. On the battlefield, survival requires pushing through.”
Smirking, I focused aura into my legs.
The knight captain sighed upon observing this, realizing my intent.
“Can you handle it?”
Regardless, I propelled myself off the ground with tremendous force, shattering parts of the practice ground.
“My unit considers giving up only when breathing stops.”
“Crazy bastard.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
The knight captain drew his sword again shortly after.
Realizing the unavoidable range, lightning struck once more.
“Didn’t we agree this was a real battle?”
Anticipating his movements, I grinned confidently.
“…What the hell!”
Facing the calamity-like sword technique, my choice was straightforward: direct confrontation.
Not much else I could do anyway.
Clang!
With aura heavily condensed in my hand, I struck the middle of his blade.
Though slightly pushed back by the recoil, successfully deflecting his attack, I thrust Opheucus forward.
No fancy technique—just instinctively targeting his opening.
“Phew…! Thought I was done for.”
So what?
“Well, I won, right?”
At the start of training, the knight captain mentioned that achieving mastery meant completing one’s own martial style.
If so, my martial style must be victory.
“You realize how dangerous that action was? A slight mistake and your head would’ve exploded.”
To survive, to protect comrades, whatever it takes, I must win.
“Well, I won, right?”
“What a crazy guy.”
“Thanks for the high praise.”
Grinning, I retrieved Opheucus and looked at my throbbing right hand.
Seeing the peeled skin and surrounding bruises, I realized this was definitely not something I could repeat twice.
Even with maximum aura concentration, the damage was significant.
Definitely monstrous.
“You’re not easy either. Managing to block my sword with an injured shoulder using just your right hand… Wait…”
Observing me closely, the knight captain suddenly approached and grabbed my shoulder.
“Ouch! What are you doing?”
Reflexively striking his hand away, he tilted his head in confusion.
“Strange. I’m certain the bone was cracked earlier… Now it’s just bruising.”
Indeed, that was puzzling even to me.
Lifting my arm through gritted teeth didn’t hurt as much as expected.
Assumed it was adrenaline from the fight, but…
Maybe it really healed in that time?
“Are you perhaps a half-elf?”
“Excuse me? That’s impossible, isn’t it?”
Carefully examining my body, I shook my head in bewilderment at the knight captain’s words.
As a child, I sometimes imagined being something special, but physical exams during military enlistment confirmed I was 100% human.
Besides, if I were a half-elf, would I have lived like a beggar in back alleys?
“I knew it all along. But… strange.”
The knight captain looked perplexed at my firm denial.
“Why do I sense the essence of the forest from you?”
“Oh, that’s…”
Could it be due to receiving divine acknowledgment?
The tattoo etched by Yggdrasil having such effects was unexpected.
Removing the curse alone was more than sufficient, but this feels more like a blessing rather than mere recognition.
The issue was explaining this was awkward.
Should I reveal being acknowledged by the World Tree?
Lost for words, the knight captain shook his head.
“Looks like you have your suspicions. No need to explain. Regardless, it’s fortunate. Thought you were prepared to sacrifice your arm.”
“Ahaha…”
Honestly, I did entertain that thought.
“Anyway, head to treatment soon. Seems mostly healed, but better safe than sorry.”
“Yes, understood.”
Massaging my still sore arm and hand, I moved toward the infirmary.
Just as I was leaving the practice ground, the knight captain’s voice called out from behind.
“Oh, almost forgot.”
“Yes?”
Turning around, he smiled and said,
“My name is Sariel.”
Somewhat bashful smile made me grin and bow slightly.
“Looking forward to working with you, Sariel.”
“Call me Sir. Sir Allen.”
“…Hmm, understood. Sir Sariel.”
Thus, I gained a small reward for my victory and headed to the infirmary.
That aside, quite a feminine name, isn’t it?
***
“Requesting nothing but my name from the captain of the royal knights…”
Watching Allen disappear into the distance, Sariel shook his head.
“You wouldn’t know. Only the Emperor has known my name until now.”
Now there are two.
“As for victory…”
Sariel knew.
Allen charged in prepared to sacrifice his arm.
His eyes weren’t that careless.
“Whether you wanted my name that much, or if you had no particular thoughts about it.”
Most likely, the latter.
Judging by how he seemed to forget about the wish entirely had Sariel not mentioned it.
“A style fitting of you. Enough to catch the imperial princess’s eye.”
There were also the daughters of two dukes and the holy maiden.
And the young Lang race companion who was always by his side.
In many ways, a playboy label suited him well.
“Heehee, hasn’t been this interesting since the Emperor. A human worth watching.”
Smiling intriguingly, Sariel left the practice ground.
His smile gave no hint of age.
… Nor gender.
